Sometimes you just need to get away from everything and enjoy some fresh air, relaxation and quality time with family.
As Bo’s second week of paternity leave approached, we debated how best to use the time. While we originally planned to do a staycation in Brooklyn, we eventually realized we’d rather spend our time in our two favorite places – Manchester, Vermont and Savannah, Georgia. In addition, traveling to visit family is a perfect way to learn our way through traveling with an infant. While we love visiting and discovering new places, this trip has proven to be exactly what we both needed.
Since arriving in Vermont Friday, we’ve been blessed with wonderful weather. In fact, this may be the nicest weather I’ve enjoyed over the fourteen years that I’ve been visiting Manchester, Vermont. During the days the temperature is in the mid-70’s with plenty of sun and in the evenings the temperatures dip into the 40s.
We made a concerted effort not to plan much for our time in Vermont. A perpetual list maker and someone who has a hard time disconnecting and relaxing, Bo and I both knew that in order to feel truly refreshed and recharged we needed to focus on avoiding over-packing our days.
On Friday, when we arrived we met my aunt at the Red Rooster for an al fresco lunch before meandering through town and picking up ingredients for the weekend from the Vermont Butcher Shop and Dutton’s Farm. After that we spent the rest of the evening introducing Katie to Vermont’s fresh air, rocking on the back porch and enjoying dinner together with my aunt and uncle. We were lucky to borrow a friends BabyBjorn Lightweight Travel Crib which worked perfectly for the trip. Katie adjusted quickly to the new location and bed situation and thankfully has slept and napped well since we arrived.
After a leisurely Saturday morning sipping coffee and enjoying lots of tummy time and giggles with Katie, who continues to be a morning baby, we headed to Mount Equionx Skyline Drive to enjoy the scenic views and take Katie on her first hike. We used our Ergobaby 360 carrier for the hike and based on her cuddles and sleep, I’d say Katie loved it. After the hike we headed back into town to our favorite sandwich spot, Zoey’s Deli. Since their sandwiches are so large Bo and I split the daily special. Katie loved hanging out on their front deck while we ate, mesmerized by her car seat activity spiral. 
We spent the rest of the afternoon reading on the back porch and relaxing in the hot tub while Katie napped. After bath time and putting Katie down for the night, we cooked a delicious dinner after she went down for the night. The seared scallop and shrimp risotto that Bo whipped up was delicious, as always, and even more impressive since it was his first time making risotto.
Yesterday we spent all day on the porch between outdoor workouts, grilling lunch, tummy time, rocking and reading. It was exactly the Sunday we both wanted and an absolutely perfect way to relax and enjoy the gorgeous weather. I finished my book, The Sunshine Sisters, which I thoroughly enjoyed and am not starting my next read, either Fortune’s Children or A Hundred Summers. 
We took a break from cooking last night and enjoyed takeout burgers and onion rings on the back porch with a cold beer before staying up late chatting with my aunt and uncle.
Hope you all had a nice weekend and are looking forward to a great week. My prayers and thoughts are with those who are dealing with the reprecussions of Hurricane Harvey.
